Apply for a Residential SolarAPP+ Permit

SolarAPP+ is a collaborative effort between the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), local governments, and the alternative energy industry. To encourage the use of alternative energy and streamline the permitting process, SolarAPP+ provides an automated code-compliance review for most residential roof-top photovoltaic projects. This program, adopted by the City of Palo Alto, is a demonstration of our fervent desire to scan for the latest developments available for permitting processes for alternative energy.

With the launch of this system, eligible Photovoltaic (PV) projects and combined PV / Energy Storage System (ESS) projects can bypass the standard building permit process through automated review and instant building permit issuance for licensed contractors.

If you are interested in using SolarAPP+ for your project, please follow the steps below.

SolarAPP+ Permit Process

Step 1.Check if your Project Qualifies

SolarAPP+ projects are limited to licensed contractors. Applicants without a CSLB license must apply through the traditional building permit process. 

SolarAPP+ is designed to provide a code-compliance check for most residential solar and storage projects that meet the following criteria: 

  • Single-family residential
  • Roof-mounted system
  • New alternative energy system (no upgrades or additions)
  • PV systems 38.4 kW or less
  • ESS 38.4 kW or less
  • Electric service 400 A or less
  • Service to contain a 225 A service disconnect switch
  • Service to contain 225A busbars

SolarAPP+ is currently unable to accommodate projects that include:

  • Standalone energy storage
  • Ground mounted systems
  • Building-integration
  • Electrical service panel upgrades
  • Non-single family residential (i.e., multi-family, commercial, community, and utility-scale projects).

If any project components exceed the above specification thresholds, the project will be designated as ineligible by the SolarAPP+ platform and it must undergo the conventional building permit application process.

Step 2.Apply for & Obtain Approval for a City of Palo Alto Utilities Interconnection Agreement

Receiving approval from City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) is a crucial first step to the process of obtaining a residential SolarAPP+ permit:

  1. Register and log in to our User Portal, Accela Citizen Access (ACA)
  2. Click on the Utilities tab
  3. Click on the "Create Application" text in the green banner and complete the application. Please have the following documents ready to upload as part of your application:
    • Site Plan (including main panel and AC disconnect location)
    • Elevation Plan (including location of other utilities)
    • Three-Line Diagram
    • PV/ESS/Inverter manufacturer technical data sheets
    • A completed Utilities Interconnection Agreement (signed by the owner)

Once your application is submitted, CPAU staff will begin processing your approval and reach out to you for next steps. For questions on this process please call (650)566-4500.

ACA_Utilities.png

Having issues creating an account? Follow this guide to register/create an account on the ACA Portal. If you are having technical difficulties with your account, please email pdsdata@cityofpaloalto.org. 

Step 3.Process your Project through SolarAPP+

An approved Interconnection Agreement is required as a prerequisite for this step. You will be required to upload the approved and signed Interconnection Agreement as part of this process.

Visit the SolarAPP+ Webpage, register for an account, and answer questions about your project. If your project is code-compliant, you will receive an approval through SolarAPP+. Download the approval documents issued through SolarAPP+ and make note of your SolarAPP+ approval ID.

Note that a $25 SolarAPP+ administration fee will be charged through this approval process.

Step 4.Apply for an Instant Building Permit

Follow the steps below to create an Instant Building Permit application:

  1. Log in to our User Portal, Accela Citizen Access (ACA)
  2. Click on the Building tab
  3. Click on the "Create Application" text in the green banner
  4. Select the "Residential Solar Permit with SolarApp+" permit type and complete the Application prompts, including uploading required documents and paying fees. Please have the following documents ready to upload as part of your application:
  • SolarAPP+ Approval Document
  • SolarAPP+ Spec Sheet
  • CPAU Signed & Approved Interconnection Agreement

For step-by-step instructions with images, follow this guide(PDF, 735KB). If you are having technical difficulties, please email pdsdata@cityofpaloalto.org. 

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Step 5.Your Permit is Issued

Please review the issued permit card / packet before completing any work to ensure accuracy or appropriate next steps. 

To view and download your permit card / packet:

  • Open your record summary using the "View Record Details" button
  • Click on the "Record Info" dropdown at the top of the record
  • Select the Attachments" option in the dropdown

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If you have a question regarding Building Permits, please call (650)329-2496 or e-mail building@cityofpaloalto.org

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SolarAPP+?

SolarAPP+, short for Solar Automated Permit Processing, is an online web portal that automates the plan review and process for issuing permits to qualified businesses or individuals to install code-compliant residential photovoltaic (PV) systems. Based on model building, electrical, and fire codes, SolarAPP automatically performs a compliance check based on inputs supplied by the contractor to ensure the proposed system is safe and code compliant. 

Visit https://gosolarapp.org/ for more information.

How much does SolarAPP+ cost an installer to use?

Applicants pay a $25 administration fee to use SolarAPP+. In turn, they will receive an approval for compliant applications, saving installers a significant amount of time and effort on every permit processed.

Separate City fees for a solar permit are charged through the building permit application process and would vary based on the system size. 

How do I register and submit a project through SolarAPP+?

Please visit the SolarAPP+ website for tutorials on how to register and submit a project on SolarAPP+:

Do I still need to apply for a City permit after I’ve obtained approval through SolarApp+?

Yes! After SolarApp+ issues a pre-approval, the applicant must obtain a City permit through our User Portal, Accela Citizen Access (ACA)

For step-by-step instructions with images, follow this guide(PDF, 735KB).

If you are having technical difficulties, please email pdsdata@cityofpaloalto.org. 

How do I make changes to approved SolarAPP+ plans and the building permit?

Revisions can only be made on systems that have not yet been installed.

A SolarAPP+ revision must first be completed on the SolarAPP+ website (https://gosolarapp.org/). Once the SolarAPP+ revision is approved, create a City of Palo Alto revision amendment utilizing the following steps:

Log in to your Accela Citizen Access (ACA) account: https://aca-prod.accela.com/PALOALTO 

  1. On the “Home” tab, click “My Records”
  2. Locate the original permit number and in the “Action” column, select “Amendment”. This will prompt the creation of a Residential Solar Permit Revision which will generate a separate revision number (e.g., 18REV-xxxxx)
  3. Complete the Residential Solar Permit Revision form
    • Note the revised SolarAPP+ approval code (it will be different from the original code)
    • Upload the newly generated SolarAPP+ approval package and specification sheets
  4. Print out the instruction package once the application is complete
  5. Read through the package for further instructions

Note that the instructions above are also noted in the previously issued permit packet. 

How do I schedule an inspection?

Schedule building inspection one of 3 ways...

  1. Schedule an Inspection using the iRequest app (iOS) (Android)
  2. Schedule an Inspection through the City's ACA Portal (registration/logging in is not required)
  3. Schedule an Inspection by phone. Please call (650) 329-2496 and select option 2

What should I do if my application or issued permit is almost or already expired?

If not yet expired, you can apply for an Extension. If already expired, you can apply for a Reactivation. Note: The fee for a Reactivation may be significantly more than an Extension fee.

  • Applications expire 12 months after the file date (for permits not yet issued)
  • Issued permits expire 12 months after issuance (for permits without completed inspections)

To extend or reactivate a Building application (permit not yet issued) or permit (already issued), please submit a completed extension/reactivation request form(PDF, 141KB) to ExpiredPermits@CityofPaloAlto.org. 
Demonstrating justifiable cause for the delay in completion and a timeline for the expected completion is required to get the Extension/Reactivation approval.

  • If an Extension request is approved, an extension fee will be due and must be paid prior to the permit expiration date. If the permit expires, no construction or inspection activity can resume until the permit is reactivated.
  • If the Reactivation request is approved, a reactivation fee will be due and must be paid before construction and inspection activity can resume.

The Chief Building Official is authorized to grant no more than three Extensions or Reactivations per application or permit.

Source: Chapter 16.04.130 of the Palo Alto Municipal Code

Development Center Hours

Monday-Thursday: 8:30 AM-4:30 PM

Friday: 8:00 AM-4:30 PM (Virtual Only)

Closed from 12:30 PM-1:30 PM 

 

Phone

To reach City of Palo Alto Utilities, call (650) 566-4500

To reach a Building Project Coordinator, call (650) 329-2496 and select option 1.

 

Email

For building permit questions, please email building@cityofpaloalto.org.


Technical Issues?

If you are having OPS logon issues or technical difficulties, please email pdsdata@cityofpaloalto.org.  

Frequently Asked Questions

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